A SCARY HALLOWEEN HODGEPODGE!

     The invasion of ghosts, goblins and every sort of costumed ghoul will soon be upon us.  It is once again that time of year. The weather has turned much cooler. SWMBO and I have begun the annual exercise of battening down the hatches, preparing for the inevitable arrival of Old Man Winter. Window screens have been put up and glass window panes have been reinstalled. We have much yet to get done. AAAAAARRRGHH!
     And now the Wednesday Hodgepodge.....

1. Besides your very own house, describe a place where you feel most 'at home'? 
     I asked SWMBO what she thought about this question. Her answer is the same as mine. We both feel most at home when we are  with our church family. They are a wonderful group of kind, accepting and loving people.

2. When did you last 'hit a home run' with something? Explain. 
     I went to the grocery store to pick up a few things. I noticed that there was Egg Nog in the dairy coolers. I picked up a quart and surprised my beloved SWMBO. She was well pleased!

3. Tell us about something you love in your house or kitchen that is 'homemade'. 
     Several years ago, before we moved into ur current house I took a kitchen cabinet and made it into a rolling breakfast counter/buffet table.  I fastened a counter top to it as well as four caster wheels.  We bought bar stools to go with it. We brought it with us to our current house but our kitchen is too small to accommodate it. We placed it in our family room. SWMBO uses it as a sewing aid. She cuts patterns and material on it. I use it to wrap presents around Christmas time.  

4. 'A man's home is his castle'...which of the world's ten most captivating castles (according to The Travel Channel) would you most like to visit and why-

Mont Saint-Michel (France), Edinburgh Castle (Scotland), Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany), Glamis Castle (Scotland), Windsor Castle (England), Chateau de Chambord (France), Hampton Court Palace (England), Prague Castle (Prague), St. Michael's Mount (England), Leeds Castle (England), and Swallow's Nest (Ukraine)
     I don't have a desire to visit any of the listed castles. I did visit Norwich Castle in Norwich, Norfolk, England, when I was stationed there in the mid 1970's. I am certain that the mentioned castles have a charm all their own. However, as far as I'm concerned if you've seen one castle you've seen them all.

5. What's a recent or upcoming plan or project that's required you do a little homework before getting started? Did the homework cause you to abandon your plan or adjust it in some way?
      I need to clean the pellet stove and flue pipe and I did some research on the best way to do it. I also wanted to read about potential problems and how to avoid them. I haven't cleaned the stove as yet but I'm not put off from trying to do it myself.
    
6. In your opinion, is homework an unnecessary evil or a valuable practice? Should schools be done with homework? Why or why not? 
     I believe it's a valuable practice. It helps a student apply the concepts that are taught in class. However, homework just for homework's sake is an unnecessary evil.

7. Share a favorite memory of your childhood hometown. 
     I grew up about 75 yards from the Merrimack River in Lowell, MA.  There was a huge rock located on the far side of the river that was in the approximate shape of a human skull. We called it "Skull Rock." My friends and I had many hours of imaginative fun at Skull Rock.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 
    The 2016 MLB World Series began last night between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs. Neither team has won a World Series since way before I was born and I am currently 62 years old. You do the math. 
     I am pulling for the Cubs to win but I wouldn't be heart broken if the Indians were to win. There are connections to my beloved Red Sox on both teams. So, I will follow the series this year and just enjoy the excellent play of both teams. What a great thing for professional baseball! GO CUBS!

A DREARY MORNING HODGEPODGE!

     Here we are again. Another Wednesday has come around again. That means another Wednesday Hodgepodge is somewhere around here. I had it just a moment ago. Oh, here it is...right here in front of me on my laptop's keyboard.  Thank you Joyce Daley for another fun series of questions. And now, before it escapes again, this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge!

1. What would you say is your strongest sense? 
     Upon reflection I would have to say that my strongest sense is my sense of humor. I really love a good laugh even if it's at my expense. I particularly love humorous anecdotes that have an unusual twist. 
     Notwithstanding my need for reading glasses, my vision is pretty good too.

2. Do you believe in the idea of a 'sixth sense'? Why or why not?
     I'm not sure about ESP, if that's what you mean by a sixth sense. I do believe that we all have a certain level of intuition which often is perceived as a kind of sixth sense. I believe this because I have personally experienced this.

3. When do you most feel like a slave to time? Explain.
     Always!

4. Have you ever worked in a restaurant? How would you rate the experience? If you could own a restaurant what kind would it be? 
     In my youth I worked in a restaurant called the Bradford House. I worked as a busboy and worked myself up to line cook. It was mostly an enjoyable experience. I liked the people I worked with.

5. Ever traced your family tree? Share something interesting you learned there.
     I have a friend who does geneology work as a hobby. He traced my family's lineage back to the 1600's. My forbears lived in a small town along the St. Lawrence seaway near Trois Rivieres (Three Rivers), Quebec, Canada. 
     My dad told me that his mother was part indian. I never knew my paternal grandparents because they died before I was born. So I too might be part indian.

6. What did your childhood bedroom look like?
     My older brother and I shared a bedroom. There were two single beds, two chest of drawers and linoleum flooring. There was a window that opened to a flat gravel roof over the kitchen. There was also a radiator that provided heat.

7. Anyone who knows me knows I love_______________________?
     ...my beloved SWMBO, my grandkids and Pecan Pie.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
     The colors of our fall foliage has been spectacular this year. Some talking heads opined that due to drought conditions the colors would probably be subdued. They were wrong. I love living in New Hampshire. I love that a person can do anything that a person might want to do. Everything is a short one or two hour drive. I love watching the change of the seasons.
     A couple of weeks ago I came home to find a huge owl perched atop my garden shed. It is not unusual for us to see wild turkeys, Canada geese, deer and other wild animals around as we move about. It is really great witnessing God's awesome creation every day. 
     Have a great week everyone!

A COLD & FLU SEASON HODGEPODGE!

      Well, here we are again. It is time for another Wednesday Hodgepodge. It is good that our hostess, Joyce Daley, is back with another series of questions. The foliage is at peak color here in the Granite State. The weather has turned cooler as is normal at this time of the year. 
     SWMBO and I are swapping colds like they were commodities. I hope that we can both get rid of our colds at the same time. Now on to the Hodgepodge.

1. What would you say is the best and worst thing about moving house?
       The best thing about moving house is thar you are forced to handle all of your possessions as you pack and choose whether to bring them to your new house. The worse thing about moving house is all the packing and then all the unpacking and the deciding where everything goes in the new place.

2. What's moved you recently?
     The views from the top of Mount Washington a couple of weeks ago.

3. Do you feel your life is moving forward, backward, or is on hold? How so?
     Life is moving ever onward.

4. On the move, move mountains, get a move on, it's your move, or bust a move...which phrase best applies to some aspect of your life right now? Explain.
     "Get a move on" applies right now. I have a lot of "stuff" to do before the snow flies.

5. What song makes you want to get up and move?
     Pretty much any hard driving rock song from the group Boston.

6. Your favorite snack to grab when you're 'on the move'?
     SWMBO and I usually have some yogurt covered raisins or yogurt covered pretzels handy.

7. What one accessory makes your house feel like home?
     For me it's my rocker recliner.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
     The state of public discourse in America today makes me sad. It is often profane and/or vulgar. The current election cycle does not make me optimistic about the future of the United States. God help us. 

WOW! WHAT A VIEW HODGEPODGE!

     Welcome to another Wednesday Hodgepodge. You will need to read my Random Thought to understand the title of this week's edition of the Hodgepodge. Thanks to our Hodgepodge Mistress, Joyce Daley, for another thought provoking series of questions. Now onto the this weeks edition!

1. Have you ever been to and/or lived near the desert? What did you think? Travel and Leisure lists the 'coolest' American desert towns as-

Palm Springs CA, Virgina City NE, Bend OR, Winslow AZ, Marfa TX, Grand Junction CO, Silver City NM, Moab UT, Taos NM, Yakima WA, Borrego Springs CA, Terlingua TX, and St. George UT, and Tubac AZ

Have you been to any of these? Would you like to visit a desert town? Which on the list would you most like to see?
       SWMBO and I lived on Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico, back in the early 1970's. The back yard of our on base housing abutted a desert. The most beautiful sunsets that I have ever seen in my life were from my backyard. I have not been to any of the towns listed in the above question nor do I have a strong desire to do so. I have nothing against the towns, I just don't have a need to visit them.

2. What's a plan or project you've deserted in the past year?
     I have not caught up on the yard work at SWMBO and my palatial estate. Actually it is a modest sized house on 1.4 acres. 

3. Desert-dessert? Share two or three words you find yourself having to think twice about when it comes to spelling.  
     Counsel - Council

4. High and dry, like watching paint dry, dry run, dry as dust, not a dry eye in the house...which phrase can you relate to currently? Explain.
     I've got nothing!

5. How often do you frequent the dry cleaners? Starch or no starch?
     I don't use dry cleaners very often since I retired five years ago. I went "no starch" when it came to my clothes, shirts mostly.

6. What's a food or beverage you enjoy that's named for a place?
     I am going with "Chinese Pie." Frankly, I had trouble thinking of food named after a place. I look forward to reading everyone's answers.

7. Do you need solitude? 
     Sometimes, I do. I like/need to get away and spend time alone reading or praying or comtemplating life and it's difficulties. Most of the time I love being with other people.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
     On Monday of this week SWMBO wanted to go leaf peeping in NH's White Mountains. As part of our excursion she wanted to drive to the top of Mt. Washington, New Englands highest mountain peak, via the Mount Washington Auto Road.  This so called road is barely wide enough for two cars to pass side by side. It is eight miles to the the top of Mt. Washington. There are no guardrails alongside the road and some of the drop offs are hundreds of feet down. Not being very fond of heights, I white knuckled the steering wheel most of those eight miles. I also did not get to enjoy the spectacular views during the ascent because I was "laser beam" focused on keeping our car on the roadway. 
     Once we reached the summit, we parked our car and walked up several flights of stairs to a visitor's center which had an observation platform from which the words "Wow! What a view!" inevitably falls from your lips. The views are truly spectacular. Visibility was about 100 miles. The temperature on top of Mt. Washington was about 30 degrees, 35 degrees colder than at the bottom. There were remnants of recent snowfalls at various spots around the summit.
     The drive down the mountain was as scary as the drive up. However on the way down we pulled over a couple of times for about ten minutes at a time to allow our brakes to cool. There are paved areas alongside the road for that very purpose. 
     If you're ever in the Granite State I recommend that you visit Mt. Washington. If you are not afraid of heights, try driving up the Auto Road. If you are afraid of heights there are a few shuttle vans that runs up and down the mountain during business hours. Another option is to ride the Cog Railway. It's a train specifically designed to make it up the side of the mountain. 

"FALL ALREADY" HODGEPODGE!

     Farewell Summer, you are gone way too soon...or does it just seem that way? It's kind of like these Wednesdays that keep coming around way too soon. Well, the Fall is, or will be, here today or tomorrow whether we want it or not. 
     Our friend Joyce Daley has gone to the trouble of posting another Wednesday Hodgepodge. The least that we can do is to participate and answer the questions.  So onto the Hodgepodge...

1. Thursday (September 22) is the first official day of autumn in this part of the world...how will you welcome the season? I know some of you have been celebrating way too early, but it's official now so permission granted. House Beautiful recently listed ten ways to make your home smell like fall (you can read the list here) What's a scent you love this time of year and how will you add it to your home? 
     I love the smell of burning leaves but SWMBO doesn't allow me to burn them inside the house.  In the alternative SWMBO might light a scented candle. 

2. Apple pie or pumpkin pie? Apple cake or pumpkin bread? Warm apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte?
     I'll take either Apple Pie of Pumpkin Pie. I'll choose Pumpkin Bread. I will go with a warm Apple Cider.

3. Do you suffer from what is sometimes referred to as an afternoon slump? What helps ward it off before it hits and/or tell us what helps you shake it off once it's here?
     Some days I do slump, other days not so much. Usually a beverage of some kind, hot or cold, will re-energize me.

4. Ladies-how have your friendships with women inspired you or made you a better person? For the men here today- how have your friendships with men inspired you or made you a better person?
      Some of my friendships have been with men who live exemplary godly lives and motivate me to try and do the same.

5. Are you a people pleaser? If you said yes, do you think that's a good or bad thing? If you said no, do you wish you were more of a people pleaser? 
     I try to do what is right. If that pleases people, okay. If it doesn't please people, okay too. I am at my core a kind, empathetic and compassionate person. I don't deliberately try to hurt anyone, even those who may have hurt me. I try to be a positive in peoples lives because it pleases God that I do so.

6. The seasons are a-changin'...share a favorite song relating in some way to change (not necessarily seasonal change, it could be change of any kind).
     Jim Croce's "The Hard Way." It's a retrospective look over life and the realization that he took the hard way everytime. Another song with a similar theme would be Frank Sinatra's "My Way." Both songs state that they would not have done any other way, notwithstanding the difficulties encountered.

7. What do you wish would never change? 
     The carefree exuberance of my granddaughters. I want them to relish being children and not having a care in the world. I wish that would never change.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.   
     At the risk of being called an intolerant homophobe I think it's important to share the release of a report entitled "Sexuality and Gender: Findings from the Biological, Psychological, and Social Sciences," by Lawrence S. Mayer and Paul R. McHugh. Both authors are extremely well credentialed in the aforementioned sciences. These scientists have found that the most frequently heard claims about sexual orientation and gender identity are NOT SUPPORTED BY SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE. (Emphasis mine) The idea that sexual orientation is innate, that people are BORN THAT WAY, is not supported by scientific evidence.
     The Bible is very clear that God created man, male and female He created them. God also condemns homosexual CONDUCT in both the Old Testament and in the New Testament. If a holy, just God condemns something, that something must be a choice and not innate within us, like skin color for example. Once again science confirms what is found in the pages of the Bible that was written thousands of years ago.
     Now, you can choose to believe it or not.  I choose to believe that the Bible is what it purports to be and that it is completely true and correct.
     

POST LABOR DAY & HERMINE HODGEPODGE

     Labor Day has come and gone signifying the official end of Summer. Of course, Mother Nature may have a differing view on that matter. Also, Hurricane Hermine made it's way up the east coast delivering rain to everywhere except where it was most needed, namely the Granite State. Other New England states could have used the rain too but I live in the Granite State.
     Well it is Wednesday and our friend Joyce Daley has come up with another series of questions A.K.A. the Wednesday Hodgepodge. 

1. What's changed in your life, home, or community since your last birthday? 
     My last birthday was in the month of April. Since then I have been reading more books. I am making my through the series of books written by Tom Clancy, in order as determined by their publishing date. I also have been reading books on church history, church leadership and patterns found in the Bible. I have also been playing my guitar(s) more often.

2. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like/listen to classical music? If so what's a favorite piece and/or who is a favorite composer? 
     I do enjoy listening to Classical Music. My favorites are piano concertos and String Quartets. I don't know composers or names of pieces but I do like certain compositions and know them when I hear them.

3. Besides The Bible, what's a book that has positively changed your life, relationships, career, or perspective? How so? 
     "The Book of Virtue" by Robert Bennett, the Secretary of Education in the Reagan/Bush years. It a reminder that we humans are seriously flawed but we possess within us the ability to exceed our own expectations. 

4. I read (here) these ten hobbies will make you smarter...play a musical instrument, read voraciously, meditate regularly, work out your brain (puzzles, sudoku, board games, etc), exercise often, learn a new language, write your feelings down (blog, journal, just write), travel to new places, cook different kinds of meals, participate in sports actively

Are any on this list your current hobbies? Which hobby on the list would you be most inclined to try? 
     I currently read a lot. I Play my guitar often. I complete a crossword puzzle and/or a Word Jumble puzzle almost daily. I'll do a Sodoku Puzzle from time to time and I play "Brain Games" on the computer and I write! I wouldn't mind travelling to new places.

5. What sports traditions does your family have? 
     We are fans of the regional professional teams, Boston Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics, and of course the New England Patriots. 

6. In a few words, weigh in on the current football/National Anthem brouhaha. Keep it family friendly please.
     I believe that people have the right to protest injustice or oppression. I think that the current protests will evoke a lot of conversation, but I suspect these protests will do little to effect change in the issues that give rise to the protest. As I have stated before, exercising your right to protest by disrespecting our national anthem and our national symbol, the flag, doesn't shield you from being an "Ass Hat."

7. Where do you have loads of patience, and where do you most lack patience? 
     I am generally patient in most things. Where I most lack patience is when I ask a direct question and do not receive a direct answer to the question asked. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.
     Yesterday the Granite State held a primary election to select our candidates for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Governor and other statewide offices. SWMBO and I performed our civic duty and exercised our franchise. Of course, we usually cancel each other's vote by voting for different candidates. I don't know why she votes wrong so often! (NOTE- If SWMBO needs to know that I said this, I'll tell her myself!)
     I love this country, despite its problems. I relish the freedoms that we all have. Our liberty makes us the envy of the world.  
     I still haven't decided whether I am going to cast a vote for president in November. I will vote in the election on November 4th but maybe I'll leave the choice of president to the rest of you. Choose wisely!

PRE-AUTUMN HODGEPODGE !

     Welcome to another Wednesday Hodgepodge. A few more school districts in the Granite State began their school year this week. The rest should follow suit the day after Labor Day, on Tuesday next. We are still experiencing a drought. Fortunately our artesian well is still providing us with copious amounts of cold, clean water. 
     Thank you Joyce for another series of questions. 

1.  Are there any men or women in blue on your family tree?
     I think that I am the only member of my family to have donned a police uniform. My older brother joined the U.S. Air Force the same year that I did and Air Force uniforms are blue. Does that count?

2. Are you someone who suffers from the Sunday night blues? What helps you get over it?
     I am not! When I am blue from time to time and a number of things help get me through those times . In no particular order, I color in my coloring book, I watch tv, I read the Bible or other spiritual oriented book, I also read secular material as well. Sometimes I just sit quietly and pray silently. These things have been effective for me.

3. I read the color blue is an appetite suppressant since there are very few naturally blue foods out there. How do you feel about blue cheese? Love it or blech? If you're a fan, what's something you like that's made with blue cheese?
     Blue Cheese is not one of my favorite foods. I do enjoy blue cheese salad dressing. That would be about it.

4. We can't head in to the Labor Day weekend without a related question, can we? Complete this thought: I work best when____________________. 
     ...left alone to complete my tasks.

5. 'Everything yields to diligence.' Antiphanes Your thoughts? (on this particular quote or on diligence in general)
     I respectfully disagree. I have witnessed, and experienced, failure that occurred after being dilligent and meticulous. Sometimes, no matter what you do things will go bad. Granted those times may be rare but they do occur.

6. The National Park Service turned 100 years old on August 25th. Have you been to many of America's National Parks? If so share with us a favorite or two. Which National Park would you most like to visit before the next birthday rolls around?
     I have been to two National Parks, three if you count Niagara Falls. The two are White Mountain National Park here in the Granite State and Yosemite National Park in California. I would love to visit Yellowstone National Park sometime soon.

7.  Bid farewell to August in seven words or less.
     August, you went by too fast...again!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
     Colin Kaepernick is a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. He has created quite a kerfuffle when he refused to stand for the national anthem that is routinely played before football games. When asked why, he said that he refuses to show respect to the flag of a country that oppresses it's citizens of color. He said that he will continue to sit until things change. He went on to spout the Black Lives Matter diatribe and propaganda.
     Mr. Kaepernick has every right to sit during the national anthem and to criticize the country that makes it possible for a black man to attain great wealth as he has done. Mr. Kaepernick is a black man who was raised by caucasian parents. 
     Mr. Kaepernick is a JERK for doing so and his protest is born out of ignorance and false information. So, Mr. Kaepernick can join that long line of contemptible people who can kiss me where the good Lord split me!
     Other than that I have no strong opinions on the matter.